Teen Found in River Ouse: Drowning Confirmed, Inquest Hears

A teenager's drowning in the River Ouse in York has been confirmed by an inquest, which heard no third-party involvement. Leah Bedford, 16, was reported missing in September 2023 and her body was recovered eight days later.

Safeguarding officials had previously assessed Leah as being at 'immediate high risk' following a reported sexual assault. The inquest was told that while a case against Kristian John Franks for her alleged rape was dropped after her death, her evidence was instrumental in convicting him of a separate offence.

The post-mortem examination revealed the presence of alcohol, ketamine, cocaine, and MDMA in Leah's system. Concerns were also raised by her family regarding her capacity to make decisions due to substance abuse and mental health issues, while professionals discussed the complexities of her care and engagement with support services.